Fed up with flurries? By this time of
year, snow and cold has taken its toll on Canadians. But
there's an easy way to take the edge off winter: flower
and garden shows. From late February to late April, there's
a slew of flower and garden shows to suit all interests
and tastes.
Attending garden shows does more than pick up your spirits.
Shows educate, inspire, and for passionate gardeners, shows
are just plain fun. Since none of the four garden shows
overlap, you can attend them all, or pick and choose. Families
don't have to miss the fun. Children's entertainment zones
have been set up, which allows parents to take in the rest
of the show. Check individual shows for details.
The four-day Stratford Garden Festival, a fundraiser to
support the work of the Lung Association, kicks off the
garden show season on Thursday. This year's "down to
earth" theme reflects the simple pleasure of getting
our hands dirty in the garden.
In its eighth year, the Stratford Garden Festival is intimate
and creative, says Deedee Herman, area manager for the Lung
Association. It includes nine display gardens, a small marketplace
(35 exhibitors) and a speakers series featuring gardening
gurus such as John Valleau, Jack Kent, Janet Rosenberg and
Beckie Fox.
The Successful Gardening Show, now in its 16th year, is
a two-for-one deal: a garden and home show (March 6-9).
Floral arrangement fanatics will delight in the "Fly
Away" theme of 300 exotic plant and flower arrangements
entered in the Ontario Horticultural Floral Design and Plant
Competition. The six display gardens, with a backyard entertaining
theme, may offer condo gardeners an idea or two.
The show has been described by many as the `friendly' garden
show of the season – geared to the everyday home gardener,"
show publicist Kim Graham says. Speakers will include yours
truly as well as Mark Cullen, best-selling author and host
of CTV's Gardening Tips; Art Drysdale, a well known horticulturist
and CityTV's Frank Ferragine. My talk at noon on Sunday,
March 9, will explore myths and misconceptions of condo
gardening.
"We (Landscape Ontario and the Garden Club of Toronto)
wanted to create a world-class showcase," says Tony
DiGiovanni, executive director of LO, of the inception of
Canada Blooms 12 years ago. "We wanted something to
go beyond the commercial and speak to the passion and to
promote awareness of the benefits of gardens, gardening
and other floral activity."
"Any proceeds from Canada Blooms go toward supporting
community-related garden projects," he says. "Canada
Blooms has given away $600,000 in the past 11 years."
This year Canada Blooms (March 12-16), Ontario's largest
and most impressive flower and garden show, celebrates the
idealism of the 1960s with a flower power theme. The show
has more than 2.5 hectares of gardens and more than 250
exhibitors. Gardening Life will host an educational series
led by top gardening and horticultural experts.
The Ontario Garden Show, also in its 12th year, has more
of a boutique garden feeling, says Shana Narciso-Evans,
who promotes sponsorships and sales for the show. Set in
the Royal Botanical Garden (April 17-20), the show prides
itself on supporting the smaller independent stores (77
exhibitors), the RBG and showcasing a feature garden designed
by Hamilton garden designer Sherry Hayes.
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